Carrera scarer

Mercedes-Benz is the latest maker to go after Porsche's iconic 911.

Carrera scarer

04 May 2012Chris Harris

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed it will build a Porsche 911 rival and revive an old nameplate, the SLC, in 2014.

The low and wide two-door ''baby SLS'' has been described by a Mercedes insider as ''cat-like'' with a ''really aggressive, pouncing-like'' exterior that ''leaps from its hind legs'', emphasising its rear-wheel-drive layout.

The SLC will be positioned well below Mercedes's $468,000-plus SLS AMG supercar, meaning a starting price of about $230,000 to compete with the 911, Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Audi R8, as well as Jaguar's forthcoming F-Type.

It will become the second joint-exercise between Mercedes's regular passenger vehicles and the company's performance division, AMG, after the SLS. A convertible version is expected to follow.

The SLC is rumoured to be powered by a 375kW 5.4-litre twin-turbo V8 placed behind the front axles as per the SLS.

Enthusiasts hoping for the SLS's ''gullwing'' doors will be disappointed, however, with the unique top-hinged items replaced by conventional doors. The SLS is a spiritual successor of the original 300SL ''Gullwing'' from the mid-1950s, hence the exclusivity.

What the Mercedes-Benz SLC may look like. illustration: Chris Harris

Our insider says the SLC's interior will adopt elements of the wild Concept Style Coupe, unveiled at last month's Beijing motor show, including the use of natural, soft materials such as cotton.

Built between 1971 and 1981, the original Mercedes SLC was a hardtop coupe with a 2+2 seating configuration. Its more popular sibling, the SL, was a two-seat convertible with a standard softtop or removable hardtop.